My S2000 is slowly but surely turning into a full-time drag race car. Most high-powered S2000 owners are going with the inlinePRO R200 rear conversion kit, which is said to support up to 1000hp! I was heavily leaning towards this setup; in fact, I already have the R200 diff itself. I say "was" because I am slowly but surely being convinced (by several muscle car drag racers at work) to go with a Ford 9" and the following:

http://www.competitionengineering.com/cata...p?CatCode=23002

It is the 4 link rear frame kit towards the bottom of the page. The issue I foresee with the R200 kit is the fact that you still have an independent rear suspension, which isn't the best for drag racing. From what I've read/heard, a solid rear end is much better.

I still have a few months before I make a final decision and the purchase, and would like to hear any feedback that you might have. When providing feedback, please keep in mind that my S2000 is becoming a drag race only car, so any comments about the handling (from a cornering perspective) going to shit with a solid rear end is irrelevant.

 

The answer is easier and more complicated than you think.

The comp engineering kit is standard and you can buy it pretty much anywhere. The parts are readily available and pretty cheap, but require significant welding/shop help. If you have a wire-feed welder or a boddy with that and a good garage, then you are set. Otherwise forget it.

The 9" setup is great- you can swap in and out gears and types of differentials at the drop of a hat, for very little comparative money. For this car you can go to a lightweight axle and strange/currie al gear housing and still have plenty of strength. Go with more serious axles than you think you will need, but get them gun drilled.

That being said, don't underestimate the cost for the chassis, axle/housing/brakes/rims/tires, and the custom driveshaft. This set up will be vastly stronger than the old NA R200 with a lot better gearing choices.

The R200 is the choice for the upgraded read for the street.

 

A buddy of mine at work builds drag cars would would probably help with the custom fabrication. Like you said, I can buy the complete kit from Comp Engineering, but the whole rear end of the car would need to be cut-out to install this kit. To tell you the truth, I am getting very excited about this idea because I will have one hell of a unique and drag capable S2000!

If I go down this route, delay the overall project completion date by a year or so, will have the engine fully built and a custom fuel setup done. It will cost a pretty penny, but time is on my side.

 

The car will need to be caged when it's back-halved. You pretty much cut everything out from the trunk floor to the back of the seats. I'd make sure the prefab frame will mount the differential at the correct height with regard to the wheel openings as they are more often used on cars with much different dimensions than a S2000.

I've got a few friends running R200's in Nissans with 500+Whp and the only thing they break are stock axles.

 

if it is a serious drag car, i'd go with the ford 9". although not a s2k, my project is getting this rear end from a S14 silvia:


cost, availability and reliability were the major factors in making this decision. i'm only looking for around 450whp... also, ease of fab work/install because it is a complete subframe assembly.

 

Thanks for your input slow!

I understand that a lot of planning, measuring, etc. will be involved in a project like this. Thankfully a buddy of mine builds Ford drag race cars and will be assisting me in this endeavor, along with a speed shop that does custom welding and fabrication.

At the very slowest, my S2000 will be running 10s, so it will need to be caged anyways. With the modifications I have planned, it should see 8s. With a full motor build, I will be making upwards of 800rwhp and the car will weigh under 2500 lbs (possibly closer to 2250 if I start removing door panels, etc.).

I know of several FI S2000s running the R200 setup as well, and they aren't having any issues. It is a great setup, and I am by no means knocking it at all. However, since my S2000 is becoming a drag race only car, a solid rear end makes sense since it will put down the power better than an independent suspension.

 

Good luck on your project!

 

BTW...here is what the rear end currently looks like:



Any suggestions as to how I can move this car (primarily being able to have it towed)? I believe I can re-connect the upper/lower control arms to the knuckle, but since I don't have an axle I cannot secure the hub/rotor assembly.

 

You need some knuckles, hubs wheels to get it rolling....


Back halving a car is a pretty serious operation. Just make sure you are willing to deal with a drag only car when you are done.

 

if you are not satisfied with the r200..try contacting Kasper Fabrication. He built me a Chrysler 8 3/4 rear and has a kit he offers. He new version offers tru-track.

sorry for the big pic..